Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Day: July 10, 2012

ARRIBA! ANDIAMO’S PRESENTS FLAMENCO NIGHT JULY 14

July 10, 2012 (San Diego) — Flamenco Night at Andiamo Ristorante is July 14 beginning at 5:30 p.m.  with a prix fixe menu. The event features Malamana’s Spanish guitars and vocals in a fusion of flamenco and romantic Latin music. The $24.95 prix fixe menu includes: Insalata Di Saverio – contemporary mixed greens tossed with tomato and garlic vinaigrette, slivers of red onion, shower of goat cheese and extra virgin olive oil Choice of Entrée Baked Rigatoni Carciofi – large scallops and shrimp baked with white wine, fresh cream, gorgonzola cheese and artichokes Lobster Ravioli – large pasta pillows filled with New England Lobster meat and tossed with brown butter Pollo ai Asparagi – rolled chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella and asparagus and finished with light garlic and tomato sauce. Dessert – fresh strawberries with brown sugar and balsamic. For reservations visit www.andiamo-ristorante.com.  Andiamo’s is located at 5950 Santo Road, San Diego.  

CELEBRATE THE 4TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY HEIGHTS FARMERS’ MARKET JULY 14

July 10, 2012 (City Heights)–Join the City Heights community as it celebrates the Fourth Anniversary of the City Heights Farmers’ Market this Saturday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is FREE and features colorful cultural performances highlighting the rich ethnic diversity of City Heights as well as children’s activities (arts & crafts and face painting). The farmers’ market is located on Wightman Street, between 43rd Street and Fairmount Avenue (across from the City Heights Weingart Library). Free parking is provided in the parking structure on 43rd Street (and there is also plenty of free street parking).  You also have an opportunity to win $50 in market gift certificates if you enter the “Summer Salad” cooking contest.  The approximate schedule for the celebration is as follows:  9:00 AM: Market opens 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM: City Heights Music School, African Drums 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM: Sea Lion Dance Team, Chinese Lion Dance 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM: Seeds of Africa, Traditional African Music & Dance 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Copley YMCA, Demo Dance Class 12:30 PM: Announcement of the winners of the “Summer Salad” cooking contest 12:40 PM – 1:00 PM: Karen Organization of San Diego, Karen Youth Dance  

“STEAM POWERED GIRAFFE” MUSICIAN REPORTS MUGGING IN LA MESA

  By Monica Hampton    July 12, 2012 (La Mesa)–Michael Reed, a member of a local band, “Steam Powered Giraffe,” reported that he was mugged in downtown La Mesa and “knocked unconscious.”  According to Reed, he was “hit on the back of the head” on La Mesa Blvd. on Saturday, July 7 between 11 p.m. and midnight.    Reed reportedly was socializing at an establishment on La Mesa Blvd. and suspects that the muggers spiked his drink before he went out on the street and was mugged.  He stated he had “signs of immediate extreme incoherence, nausea, and zero memory of anything past a certain point.”    According to Reed, after “regaining consciousness” he discovered that his iPhone, ID card, debit card, and car keys were missing.  The 25 year-old victim reported that he was also robbed of his laptop and camping equipment that were inside his vehicle.  Reed believes the muggers drove around in his car, since he found it “re-parked not far from where [he] was [that night.]”    He also discovered his ID card and car keys, which the muggers had left, inside his vehicle.  Reed states, “I am saddened by this event, but I am glad to be alive.”    Reed spent the following morning, July 8, in the La Mesa Police Department,  Police confirm. A spokesman at LMPD indicated the Department is not aware of other attacks in downtown La Mesa.  No suspect information was provided and there were no witnesses.    Reed spent the rest of the day at Sharp Grossmont Hospital for examination.  Due to this situation, he was unable to perform at the San Diego Zoo later that day, where he and his band are playing every day during the summer.     Reed has health insurance but is worried about the costs, believing they will be “astronomical.”  However, Reed is doing much better now and was able to perform at the zoo on July 9.     Reed is “saddened” by this experience but maintains a positive outlook.  

POWAY BRUSH FIRE KNOCKED DOWN BY FIRE CREWS

  By Nadin Abbott Photos Nadin Abbott   July 10, 2012 (Poway)– A fire that started along Metate Lane and Carriage Road in Poway was knocked off fairly fast by fire crews from multiple agencies.   According to John Canavan, Division Chief of the City of Poway Fire Department, the fire started at 11:45 a.m. yesterday. It was a grass fire near homes, that burned eastwards towards Community along the road, pushed by a ten to fifteen mile wind.     According to Canavan vegetation fires are always a concern this time of year. In this case "it was light, flashy fuel."   Air assets used both water and retardant drops, which helped greatly to put it out.   There were contingencies in place in case the fire moved up to the Poway Business Park. But in this case, firefighters worked with the weather and they never had to put them into effect.   The cause is under investigation, but there were reports of crews involved in fuel abatement. The fire burned eight acres and there were no structures damage or injuries. Some residents along Metate Lane decided to self evacuate, but there were no official evacuations ordered.   The Fire Department was assisted by the Sheriff’s Department with traffic control in the area, with the closure of Metate and Pomerado for two hours.   Canavan also said that while there are power lines in the area, they posed no issues to fire air assets.   According to Judy Ky, an area resident, there were crews weed whacking right before the fire started. She mentioned in passing that she went to Julian during the weekend, and saw crews doing fuel abatement with a fire engine nearby.   According to Frances Jensen, another area resident, "this is the fourth or fifth time this happens."   Luke Rankin, a third area resident, told ECM that he never felt himself at risk. They both also said that there were crews weed whacking before the fire started. When Ranking called 911 dispatch, he was told the response was already under way.   The response, according to Canavan was as follows:   100 firefighters. 23 Engines 5 Chief Officers 2 Hand Crews. 2 Air Tankers 2 Helicopters 1 Air Attack Aircraft 2 Support Units   Agencies at scene were:   SD County Sheriff SDG&E Cal Fire Poway Fire San Diego Fire Department Poway Fire Santee Fire Department.   

BRIGHT IDEAS: ENERGY INNOVATION CENTER LIVES UP TO ITS STANDARDS

    By  Janis Mork   July 10, 2012 (San Diego)-  ECM toured SDG&E’s new Energy Innovation Center at Clairemont Mesa, designed to be a demonstration facility and educational center, led by supervisor Ellery Stahler. We found an array of creative ideas and cool technologies that you can utilize to save energy and conserve resources in your home and garden.     During the Smart Home kitchen tour, she presented some low cost to no cost basic options, including CFL bulbs, a digital thermostat that can record the temperature of your dishwasher and refrigerator if it is too hot or too cold. Stahler recommended that since East County residents use their air conditioning (A/C) a lot during the summer, residents should get their A/C tuned up by going to the website www.acqualitycare.com  for more information.   She also showed ‘smart strips’ that one can plug all electronics in, such as I-Pads, videogames/X box, or cell phone–and it saves you from taking the ‘vampire breath’ (in other words, wasting energy) out.   Another innovation is liquid crystal privacy glass, which uses electrical currents to turn it on and it actually lets daylight pass through clearly, showing what looks like the view from outside.   In the garage, there is a level-two car charger, which is designed to charge your car in six to eight hours. A tankless water heater next to the car charger saves fuel by heating water only when you turn it on; this type of heater is ideal for those who vacation a lot.   Out in the hallway, Stahler proudly pointed out that the carpet was made from recycled tires.  In fact, this center is all about recycling and reusing as one can see from the clearly marked trash bins throughout. A hallway exhibit across from the kitchen enables you to learn about the difference between CFL (compact fluorescent), LED (light-emitting diode), and incandescent bulbs–and shows you which bulb a gemstone shines brightest under when illuminated.   Next came a seminar classroom. As you look up at the ceiling, you can see a huge bright light shining brightly, filling the whole room when all of them are turned on. These save a lot less energy than those regular rectangular lights usually present in buildings and school classrooms.   In the kitchen, you’ll find food service demonstrations. Restaurants can actually try out the new equipment with the dishwasher, ice machine, and stovetop and they can create their masterpieces there. Adjacent to the kitchen is a seminar classroom with a cooking stage, so the chefs at the center can demonstrate the new equipment and cook food.   Last up was the produce demonstration garden with ‘wooly pockets.’ These can be easily attached to a chain link fence, and hold the plants and produce comfortably. There were also many different plants including fruits such as peaches growing. Stahler mentioned that this garden was installed by Urban Corps of San Diego, which helps teach students master gardening skills.    Speaking of teaching, Stahler told ECM how community, nonprofit, and school organizations can have an event related to the center’s purpose free of charge.   Here is a Q & A done with Stahler and assisted by Erin Koch, Communications Manager of Media and Employee Communications:   How long did the center take to construct? When did construction start? Whose idea was it?   Ellery:“Yes, I do know when construction started. It started in December 2010 and then there was a community open house in January 2012 when it was officially open to the public. No one person came up with the idea. Many other companies had innovation centers, and SDG&E didn’t have one of its own.”   Erin: “I think also it would meet a community need; everyone had questions about this.”   What is the number one way people can to save to conserve energy, and why?   Ellery: “I think, as a homeowner, you use the air conditioner up more, so you should make sure it’s properly tuned up (72 degrees on average, 78 degrees in the summer), but it’s all about your comfort.”   Erin: So, the air conditioner uses up the most energy. If used less, you save energy and money.”   Ellery:  I think also, some homeowners have a second, old refrigerator in their garage too. SDG&E has a recycling program, where if you call them, they can pick up your second refrigerator and recycle it.”   Single family homeowners can now also earn up to $4,000 for a whole-house approach to energy upgrades through the Energy Upgrade California program.  For more information, visit www.sdge.com/energyupgradecalifornia   For more information on SDG&E’s Energy Innovation Center, visit sdge.com/innovationcenter , where you can also register for workshops/seminars.   

PASSAGES: MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR RESTAURANT FOUNDER DON SANFILIPPO

  July 10, 2012 (La Mesa) — Memorial services were held at Faith Chapel at 11:00 a.m. this morning for Donato "Don" Sanfilippo who was the founder of a popular pizza restaurant in La Mesa. Sanfilippo died on July 1 as a result of a massive stroke that occurred in 2007.  For further information, see the article in the La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch.  

“CASH MOB” BRINGS BUSINESS—AND TEARS OF JOY–TO LOCAL SHOP OWNER

  By Miriam Raftery July 8, 2012 (El Cajon) – “It’s a great way to give a local business a shot in the arm,” said Susan Barron, who organized a “cash mob” yesterday to aid her friend, Peggy Harris, owner of the Glamour Girlz Boutique at 124 East Main Street.  “July has been a really tough month for her and this was a winner.”  The event was a "cashing" success—with more than 60 shoppers marching into the shop on Main Street to collectively spend over $2,000.  Owner Peggy Harris was overcome with emotion, brushing away tears of joy as the horde of shoppers burst through the front doors and swiftly began trying on the trendy, stylish and often glitzy garb that gives Glamour Girlz its name. A former fashion buyer, her shop has previously been profiled by ECM. By early afternoon, a long line of customers, some clutching armfuls of items to purchase, extended the full length of the store.  Barron got the idea online. The website  http://www.cashmob.com/ helps people organize a cash mob event in their area.  “Every dollar spent locally has a 15 percent more positive impact on a local economy than the same amount spent in big-box retailers,”  states the website, which utilizes social media to spread the word to consumers when a cash mob event is planned.  Participants are encouraged to spend a set amount, in yesterday’s case, $20.  But many spent far more.  Some also purchased artwork at the Main Street 5 Gallery, then met up afterwards at the El Cajon Brewery for lunch, hand-crafted local beers, and a chance to win a prize.  (ECM editor Miriam Raftery joined in the shopping spree and was the lucky winner; she will donate the Brewery certificate as a prize for our nonprofit media outlet’s next event.) Barron was so pleased with the outcome at Harris’ shopt that she hopes to organize future events to benefit other struggling local merchants.  She concluded, “The best news is she has a group of new fans to her store, who didn’t know she existed.”   

LANDMARK SETTLEMENT REQUIRES FEDS TO REVISIT PLAN FOR COAL-FRIENDLY ENERGY CORRIDORS ACROSS WEST

Feds urged to avoid sensitive lands for coal–but development for "renewable" energy pressure intensifies July 9, 2012 (San Francisco)— A coalition of conservation organizations and a western Colorado county reached a landmark settlement agreement with federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Department of Energy, requiring the agencies to revise a Bush-era plan creating energy corridors in the West.  The agreement, filed in federal court in San Francisco, requires the agencies to revise a “West-wide Energy Corridors” plan to facilitate renewable energy, avoid environmentally sensitive areas and prevent webs of pipelines and power lines across the West–an action that while protecting lands from coal projects, will accelerate pressures to develop formerly protected public lands for wind and solar projects. “This settlement puts federal agencies and potential developers on notice that certain corridors are no-go areas for environmental reasons,” said Nada Culver, senior director of agency policy and planning at The Wilderness Society. “We should guide power lines and pipelines to the right places, along with advancing better priorities such as supporting renewable energy.” But not everyone is pleased by the decision. Terry Weiner at Solar Done Right observed that the settlement does not go far enough to protect public lands from the environmental destruction now being caused by massive renewable energy corridors. “This is one good step in the direction of pushing back on the feds on their plan to grid the country with new transmission lines,” she said.  But she added,”Unfortunately it does not address the problem of remote industrial solar and wind projects and the fact that they create a need for transmission lines, but this should give the feds pause.” The corridors were planned by the Bush administration, using streamlined environmental reviews under the 2005 Energy Policy Act. The plan, which was announced in 2008, connects coal and other fossil-fuel power plants to the West’s electric grid while often overlooking areas with solar, wind and geothermal potential. Its web of corridors threatened wildlife habitat, wilderness areas and national parks. “This landmark agreement could make a world of difference to renewable energy development — and at the same time, minimize messy energy corridors on our public lands to avoid harm to wildlife, parks and wilderness,” said Amy Atwood, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “The Obama administration needs to seize the opportunity created by this settlement to do right by both nature and our energy future.” The agreement, which now awaits court approval, creates a process for the agencies to periodically review corridors and assess whether to revise, delete or add corridors on a region-by-region basis. The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, which have siting authority over transmission and pipeline rights-of-way for transmission lines and pipelines on public lands, must also reevaluate corridors located in sensitive areas or corridors that would not carry renewable energy. “The Bush-era energy corridors would have continued our destructive dependence on fossil fuels. This settlement helps move us away from our dirty energy past and toward a more stable and renewable clean energy future,” said Jim Angell, an Earthjustice attorney who represented the plaintiffs. An interagency workgroup will oversee the new corridor analysis. The settlement requires that it consider studies by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council and Western Governors’ Association, expertise provided by the Energy Department, and public feedback to ensure that corridors are thoughtfully sited to provide maximum utility with minimum environmental impact. “Awe-inspiring views at Arches National Park, known for its famous sandstone arches in Utah’s red rock desert, will be better protected from transmission lines running alongside the park,” said Kristen Brengel of National Parks Conservation Association. “We are pleased the Interior and Energy departments agreed to consider removing a transmission corridor on the northern outskirts of Las Vegas through a scientifically significant Ice Age fossil site known as Tule Springs — this area is worthy of a national park designation.” “We are delighted with this win-win outcome,” said Elizabeth Merritt of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “We support the concept of steering pipelines and power lines toward certain corridors, but not at the expense of our culturally and historically significant public lands. By working harder to avoid these sensitive areas, a good idea just got better.” Plaintiffs in the case are The Wilderness Society, Center for Biological Diversity, Bark, Defenders of Wildlife, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, National Parks Conservation Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Oregon Natural Desert Association, Sierra Club, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Western Resource Advocates and Western Watersheds Project, as well as the county of San Miguel, Colo.  

BABYSITTER ARRESTED FOR MURDER IN RAMONA

  July 9, 2012 (Ramona)—David Humberto Ortiz, 19, has been arrested for the murder and assault of 8-month-old Liliana Velasquez.  According to Lt. Larry Nesbitt with the San Diego Sheriff’s Homicide Detail, Ortiz was babysitting the infant in the 2600 block of Southern Oak Road in Ramona when the fatal assault occurred on July 4 at 11:27 a.m. He has been booked into the San Diego Central Jail.  The investigation is continuing and no further information will be released at this time. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Child Abuse Unit, Homicide Detail, and Sheriff’s Crime Lab are participating in this investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-TIPS(8477).